phosphorus removal system and process

ABSTRACT

A phosphorus removal system is operable to remove phosphorus from an influent. The system includes a first section receiving the influent and discharging a first flow. A first coagulant inlet is positioned upstream of the first section and is in fluid communication with the influent to introduce a first coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus. A second section receives the first flow and discharges a second flow, and a third section receives the second flow and discharges an effluent. A second coagulant inlet is positioned downstream of the first section and upstream of the third section to introduce a second coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/696,846 filed on Jul. 6, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a system and method for removing phosphorus from an influent. More particularly, the invention relates to a system and method for removing phosphorus from an influent using a multi-stage treatment system.

Influent, such as contaminated water, is often treated using a multi-stage process to allow for the removal of various contaminates. The treatment processes may include coagulation, absorption, adsorption, filtration, biological treatment, and/or chemical treatment. However, phosphorus can be difficult to remove because it may be present in different forms such as soluble phosphorus, polyphosphate, and phosphorus tied to bacteria or other organic material. In addition, some particulate phosphorus is too small for filtration or coagulation to be effective.

Present systems generally cannot reduce the level of phosphorus in an influent below about 50 parts per billion (ppb).

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention provides a phosphorus removal system that is operable to remove phosphorus from an influent. The system includes a first section receiving the influent and discharging a first flow. A first coagulant inlet is positioned upstream of the first section and is in fluid communication with the influent to introduce a first coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus. A second section receives the first flow and discharges a second flow, and a third section receives the second flow and discharges an effluent. A second coagulant inlet is positioned downstream of the first section and upstream of the third section to introduce a second coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of reducing the quantity of phosphorus in a flow that passes through a multi-section treatment process. The method includes selecting a first coagulant that precipitates phosphorus, mixing the first coagulant with the flow to define a first flow, and directing the first flow to a first section. The method also includes drawing a second flow from the first section, introducing the second flow to a second section, and drawing a third flow from the second section. The method further includes introducing the third flow to a third section, discharging an effluent from the third section, selecting a second coagulant that precipitates phosphorus, and introducing the second coagulant into one of the second flow and the third flow.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of reducing the quantity of phosphorus in a flow. The method includes selecting a first coagulant that precipitates phosphorus, adding a quantity of the first coagulant to the flow to produce a first flow, and directing the first flow to a first section that is operable to remove a portion of the first coagulant and a portion of the phosphorus in the first flow, and to discharge a second flow. The method also includes directing the second flow to a filter that is operable to filter the second flow and to discharge an effluent, backwashing the filter, and adding a quantity of a second coagulant to the filter during the backwashing step. The method further includes collecting a portion of particles from the filter during the backwash and adding at least a portion of the collected particles to the first flow.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a multi-stage treatment system during normal operation; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the multi-stage treatment system of FIG. 1 during a rinse of a second stage and a backwash of a third stage.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a multi-stage treatment system 10 that is capable of treating an influent 15 to produce an effluent 20 having desired properties (e.g., desired contaminant levels, turbidity, etc.). Systems similar to the one illustrated are sold by USFILTER as TRIDENT water treatment systems. The illustrated treatment system 10 includes three stages of treatment, with other systems including more or fewer stages. For example, many systems 10 employ a settling stage in which the influent 15 is allowed to settle for a predetermined period of time before it is directed into the three illustrated stages. Other systems may include ozone treatment or still other treatments, in addition to those discussed herein. As such, the invention should net be limited to three-stage systems, nor should the invention be limited to the three particular stages described herein.

Influent 15 enters the illustrated three-stage system 10 via a pipe, conduit, or other flow path. Chemicals 25 can be added to the influent 15 to adjust the pH and the alkalinity of the flow before further treatment. In addition, a first coagulant 30 and a first polymer 35 are added to the influent 15 to define a first flow 40 that then enters the three stage system 10.

The first flow 40 enters a first stage 45 of the multi-stage treatment system 10. In the illustrated construction, the first stage 45 includes a lamella, or tube section that functions to separate the first flow 40 into a second flow 50 and a sludge 55. The tube section 45 includes a bottom portion 60, a top portion 65, and a plurality of substantially vertically oriented tubes 70 that extend between the bottom portion 60 and the top portion 65. The first flow 40 enters the tube section 45 at the bottom portion 60 and the second flow 50 exits the tube section 45 from the top portion 65.

The first polymer 35 acts as a flocculent to collect contaminates within the first flow 40 and form larger heavier particles of contaminates (floc). Similarly, the first coagulant 30 collects contaminates and forms larger, heavier particles. The first coagulant 30 is preferably selected from a number of available metal salts, with aluminum-based salts (e.g., alum, etc.) and iron-based salts (e.g., ferric chloride, ferric sulfate, ferrous sulfate, etc.) being preferred. The metal salts aid in precipitating phosphorus from the first flow 40. Thus, the first coagulant 30 reduces the amount of phosphorus in the first flow 40 as it passes through the tube section 45.

In the tube section 45, the larger, heavier particles do not flow upward through the tubes 70 with the second flow 50, but rather fall downward and collect on the bottom to form the sludge 55. One or more pumps 75 are positioned to draw sludge 55 from the tube section 45 and pump the sludge 55 to waste 80 as required. In some constructions, the pumps 75 operate continuously to draw the sludge 55 from the tube section 45, with other constructions employing intermittent pump operation. In preferred constructions, a portion of the sludge 85 is pumped into the influent 15 or first flow 40, via a first return line, before the first flow 40 enters the tube section 45. This allows any of the first coagulant 30 or first polymer 35 that remains active within the sludge 85 to collect additional contaminates, thus reducing the quantity of first coagulant 30 and first polymer 35 required.

In some constructions, a second coagulant 90 is added to the flow of sludge 85 before it enters the influent 15 or first flow 40. The additional coagulant 90 further improves the reduction of contaminates in the second flow 50. Generally, the same metal salt is employed as the second coagulant 90 as was employed as the first coagulant 30. However, other systems may employ a different coagulant, or multiple coagulants (e.g., alum in combination with ferric chloride) if desired.

The second flow 50 exits the tube section 45 and flows into a second section 95 of the multi-stage treatment system 10. In some constructions, a third coagulant 100 is added to the second flow 50 before it enters the second section 95. In preferred constructions, the third coagulant 100 includes the same metal salt as was used as the first coagulant 30 and/or the second coagulant 90, with other coagulants also being suitable for use. Additional polymer 105 can also be added before the second flow 50 enters the second stage 95 if desired. Like the coagulant 100, preferred constructions employ the same polymer 105 that was used as the first polymer 35. However, other polymers may be employed as desired.

The second section 95 of the illustrated multi-stage treatment system 10 includes an adsorption clarifier 107 having a bottom portion 110 and a top portion 115. The second flow 50 enters the adsorption clarifier 107 near the bottom 110 and flows upward to the top portion 115. A third flow 120 exits the adsorption clarifier 107 from the top portion 115.

In a preferred arrangement of the adsorption clarifier 107, a media retainer 125 such as a screen holds a buoyant adsorption media 130 in place. The second flow 50 flows upward through the adsorption media 130, which adsorbs unwanted contaminates as the flow passes.

Periodically, the adsorption clarifier 107 must be flushed (see FIG. 2) to collect the unwanted contaminates that have been adsorbed by the adsorption media 130. The collected contaminates are directed to waste 80, with a portion of the collected contaminates 135 being directed to the influent 15 or first flow 40 via a second return line. In some constructions, a fourth coagulant 140 is added to the flow 135 within the second return line before the flow 135 enters the influent 15 or the first flow 40. As with the other coagulants, the fourth coagulant 140 is preferably a metal salt, and more preferably, the same metal salt as is used as the first coagulant 30, the second coagulant 90, and/or the third coagulant 100.

The third flow 120 passes out of the adsorption clarifier 107 near the top portion 115 and enters a third section 145 of the multi-stage treatment system 10. In some constructions, a fifth coagulant 150 is added to the third flow 120 before the third flow 120 enters the third section 145. As with prior coagulants, preferred constructions employ the same coagulant for the fifth coagulant 150 as is employed as the first coagulant 30, the second coagulant 90, the third coagulant 100, and/or the fourth coagulant 140, with other coagulants also being possible.

In the illustrated construction, the third section 145 includes a mixed media filter 155 that receives the third flow 120, including the fifth coagulant 150 if added, near a top portion 160 of the filter 155. The mixed media filter 155 includes the top portion 160 and a bottom portion 165 that supports an underdrain structure 170. Mixed media 175 (e.g., gravel, sand, fine heavy density material, and the like) is arranged above the underdrain structure 170 such that the particle size becomes smaller from the top portion 160 to the bottom portion 165. This course-to-fine arrangement contributes to the filter's ability to capture unwanted contaminate particles to produce a high-quality (low contaminant) effluent 20 (e.g., drinking water).

As the third flow 120 passes through the filter media 175, additional contaminates are removed. The flow eventually reaches the underdrain structure 170 which collects the fluid and discharges it from the multi-stage treatment system 10 as the effluent 20.

Periodically, the mixed media filter 155 is backwashed, as illustrated in FIG. 2, to remove the contaminates captured by the filter media 175. During the backwash, water and/or air 178 are introduced into the underdrain system 170 under pressure such that the water and air flows in reverse (i.e., bottom to top) through the filter media 175. The contaminates and water are drawn from the top of the mixed media filter 155 and are directed to waste 80. A portion of the collected contaminates and water 180 is directed to the influent 15 or the first flow 40 via a third return line. In addition, a sixth coagulant 185 can be added to the flow 180 within the third return line before the flow 180 enters the first flow 40. As with prior coagulants, the sixth coagulant 185 is preferably the same coagulant as the first coagulant 30, the second coagulant 90, the third coagulant 100, the fourth coagulant 140, and/or the fifth coagulant 150, with other coagulants also being possible.

In operation, the multi-stage treatment system 10 receives the flow of influent 15 containing phosphorus. The flow of influent 15 is treated to achieve a desired pH and alkalinity. In addition, a quantity of polymer 25 and coagulant 30 is added to produce a first flow 40. The first flow 40 enters the first section 45 of the multi-stage treatment system 10 where the polymer 25 functions to produce large clumps of contaminates or floc, and the coagulant 30 precipitates a portion of the phosphorus. The precipitate and floe collect to form the sludge 55 which is pumped to waste 80. In one arrangement, a portion of the sludge 55 is pumped to the influent 15 or first flow 40 before the first flow 40 enters the first section 45. In preferred arrangements, one to five percent of the sludge 55 is recirculated with other quantities being possible. As discussed, coagulant 90 may be added to the recirculated flow of sludge 55 if desired, to further reduce the phosphorus content of the fluid in the system 10.

The flow exits the first section 45 as the second flow 50 and passes to the second section 95 of the multi-stage treatment system 10. During the transit between the first section 45 and the second section 95, additional coagulant 100 and polymer 105 may be added, as desired.

The second flow 50 passes through the second section 95 where additional contaminates, including additional phosphorus is removed from the flow 50. The third flow 120 leaves the second section 95 and enters the third section 145 of the multi-stage treatment system 10. During the transit from the second section 95 to the third section 145, additional coagulant 150 may be added to the third flow 120 to further reduce the quantity of phosphorus within the flow 120.

The third flow 120 passes through the third section 145 of the multi-stage treatment system 10 and exits the multi-stage treatment system 10 as the effluent 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the second section 95 is periodically rinsed and the third section 145 is periodically backwashed to remove a significant portion of the contaminates collected by the two sections 95, 145 of the multi-stage treatment system 10. The contaminates are collected from the respective sections 95, 145 and are directed to waste 80. A portion of the contaminates 135, 180 from each of the respective stages can be redirected to the influent 15 or the first flow 40 prior to the first flow's entry into the first section 45. In addition, additional coagulant 140, 185 can be added to one or both of the redirected flow of contaminates 135, 180 as desired.

In a preferred arrangement, additional coagulant is added only between the first stage and second stage (100), or to the sludge 85 being pumped back to the influent 15 of the first flow 40 (90).

In one construction, a control system monitors the level of phosphorus, as well as other contaminate levels, throughout the treatment process to determine where to add additional coagulant and in what quantity that must be added to achieve the desired level of phosphorus in the effluent 20, while using the least amount of coagulant possible. In one arrangement, the multi-stage treatment system 10 reduces the level of phosphorus below about 10 ppb.

Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a new and useful multi-stage treatment system 10. More specifically, the invention provides a multi-stage treatment system 10 that reduces the quantity of phosphorus in the treated fluid. 

1-26. (canceled)
 27. A method of reducing the amount of phosphorus in an influent, the method comprising: selecting a first coagulant and a second coagulant, wherein each of the first and second coagulant precipitates phosphorus; introducing the first coagulant into the influent containing phosphorus; introducing the influent into a first section, wherein the first section comprises a tube section comprising a plurality of tubes; in the first section, dividing the influent into a first flow and a sludge; discharging the first flow and the sludge from the first section; introducing the first flow into a second section wherein contaminates are removed to form a second flow; discharging the second flow from the second section; introducing the second flow to a third section wherein additional contaminates are removed to form an effluent; discharging the effluent from the third section; introducing the second coagulant into at least one of the influent, the first flow, and the second flow; connecting, via at least one return line, at least one position downstream of the first section with a position upstream of, and in fluid communication with, the first section; and pumping, via a return line, at least a portion of the sludge from the first section and/or a portion of the contaminates from at least one of the second and third sections to the position upstream of the first section and mixing the sludge and/or contaminates with the influent.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the method comprises introducing the influent into the first section below the tube section and discharging the first flow from the first section above the tube section.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the second section comprises an adsorption clarifier, and the third section comprises a media filter.
 30. The method of claim 27, wherein the first coagulant and the second coagulant are at least one metal salt.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one metal salt is chosen from alum, ferric chloride, and ferric sulfate.
 32. The method of claim 27, wherein the method comprises introducing the second coagulant to the first flow.
 33. The method of claim 27, wherein the method comprises introducing the second coagulant to the second flow.
 34. The method of claim 27, wherein the method further comprises introducing a third coagulant into the return line before the portion of sludge and/or contaminates is mixed with the influent.
 35. The method of claim 27, wherein the tube section comprises a plurality of inclined tubes.
 36. The method of claim 29, wherein the method further comprises backwashing the media filter of the third section.
 37. The method of claim 27, wherein phosphorous content of the influent is reduced to below about 50 ppb.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein phosphorous content of the influent is reduced to below about 10 ppb.
 39. A multi-section method of removing phosphorus from a flow, the method comprising: introducing a first coagulant that precipitates phosphorous into a first flow containing phosphorus and introducing the first flow into a first treatment section comprising a tube section, separating the first flow into a second flow and a sludge in the first treatment section, discharging the second flow from the first treatment section and into a second treatment section wherein contaminates are removed and a third flow is formed, discharging the third flow from the second treatment section and into a third treatment section wherein additional contaminates are removed.
 40. The method of claim 39, wherein at least one of the second and third treatment sections are periodically washed and a portion of the collected contaminates are recycled to the first treatment section.
 41. The method of claim 39, wherein the first flow is introduced into the first treatment section below the tube section and removed above the tube section.
 42. The method of claim 39, wherein both a coagulant and a polymer are added to selected flows.
 43. The method of claim 39, wherein the method is performed in the absence of mechanical stirring.
 44. The method of claim 39, wherein phosphorous content of the flow is reduced to below about 50 ppb.
 45. The method of claim 44, wherein phosphorous content of the flow is reduced to below about 10 ppb.
 46. The method of claim 39, wherein the tube section comprises a plurality of inclined tubes.
 47. The method of claim 39, wherein the second treatment section comprises adsorption media.
 48. The method of claim 39, wherein the third treatment section comprises a media filter.
 49. The method of claim 39, wherein the first coagulant is at least one metal salt.
 50. The method of claim 49, wherein the at least one metal salt is chosen from alum, ferric chloride, and ferric sulfate.
 51. The method of claim 39, wherein the method further comprises introducing a second coagulant that precipitates phosphorus into one of the second flow and/or the third flow.
 52. The method of claim 51, wherein the second coagulant is at least one metal salt.
 53. The method of claim 52, wherein the at least one metal salt is chosen from alum, ferric chloride, and ferric sulfate.
 54. The method of claim 41, wherein the third treatment section is backwashed.
 55. The method of claim 54, wherein the method further comprises introducing a second coagulant to the third treatment section during backwashing. 